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Father’s Day is quickly approaching; June 18 will be here before you know it! Our dads are our first hero; they are the strongest men alive and the best spider killers on the planet (well, mine is at least). Many have also taken on the role of “Mr. Mom.” If you just look at the cost of childcare, you’ll understand why some parents are opting to stay at home rather than pay for daycare. Though dads taking the stay-at-home caregiver role are slowly becoming a more common occurrence, it is still met with some social resistance.Continue reading →

Have you been established in your current work position for a while? Do you think it’s time for a raise? Maybe you’re thinking, “How do I ask my boss for more money without sounding ungrateful or unhappy?” You’re in the right place. Today we are going to discuss the do’s and don’ts of asking your employer for a raise.

We’ve just come off a beautiful three day weekend full of sun, family, friends, and fun. If you’re anything like I am, getting up in the morning this week was extra rough. Maybe you sat in your car a second or two longer trying to prolong the weekend feeling. Or, maybe if you’re even more like I am, you considered calling in “sick.” Sunburn counts as a kind of sick right? As the weather gets nice it’s harder and harder to be stuck at work and “mental health days” are thought about more often. Americans have the tendency to be work martyrs and dedicate themselves so much to their job that they leave vacation time on the table. Though some would call taking a “mental health day” irresponsible, sometimes taking a break from work is needed. Here are five reasons playing hooky for your health is a good for you.

In 2015, 55% of Americans left vacation time on the table combining for a 658 million days unused. Millennials are some of the greatest culprits of this, wanting to prove themselves and disprove the label of lazy and entitled that has been given them. Sometimes we work so hard to accomplish something that we actually end up sabotaging ourselves. Taking even just one day to recharge will help refresh your mind. When you return, you’ll have more energy and mental capacity to tackle your project with increased vigor!

It’s Preventative Medicine

It’s no secret that stress can lower your immune system. When project deadlines are drawing near and you have meetings that are taking up most of your day, it’s easy to become stressed. Though it may seem like a bad idea to take a “mental health day” during these times, it might actually be a great idea and save you in the long run. By taking a day to relax and let your body heal itself, you will be better equipped to stave off that nasty summer cold that’s being passed around. Taking one day for yourself while you are feeling well is much better than a taking a week and being sick.

You Will Improve Relationships

We all talk about wanting a work-life balance, but how many of us really have it? We are always accessible, even when we take vacations, we still take calls and answer emails. Even if it takes a second, you are still distracted from what is happening in front of you. My fiancé and I have had many a heated discussion about work interrupting our time as a couple. I won’t lie, we’ve both taken coordinated days off and played hooky together and it’s always a wonderful day. Since we are “sick,” we usually don’t get bothered and are able to focus fully on one another.

As a bride who has less than 6 months to her wedding, my to-do lists are quite lengthy. If you’ve ever been involved in planning a wedding you know it is pretty much a second job; I come home from work only to continue working on our wedding plans. But, even if you aren’t getting married, everyone has to-do lists and chores that are piling up. We can’t find the time or energy to complete them after work. Taking a day to catch up on your list can give you a great sense of accomplishment and help lower your stress levels. You can then carry these feelings over to your work the next day!

You Can Learn a New Skill

You’re burnt out, stressed, bored even. You perform the same tasks day in and out. You have deadlines approaching and you’re anxious.You feel like you’ve stagnated and maybe you’ve lost a few brain cells. Taking a mental health day can help get you out of the funk you’re in. Just because you called off work doesn’t mean you can’t be productive. Take a weekday class or head to the library. You can learn a new skill or research a topic you are interested in. Passionate about giving? Take a day to volunteer. You’ll feel good about yourself and you’ll have exercised your brain in a different way. You may even be able to use your new skills in the workplace to your advantage.

These are just some of the many reasons taking a break from work can be a positive thing. We tend to feel a “real” reason to call off work is needed and forget our wellbeing should be reason enough. As long as you are not making a habit of unplanned call offs, taking a day for yourself can be positive and helpful in the long run.

Public Relations is an important aspect of any modern business. Universities are offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the subject and most companies have entire departments dedicated to it. In a world of technology and social media, it is important to be proactive as well as reactive. Think about the most recent PR crises in the news. Pepsi with their release of an ad featuring Kendall Jenner, United Airlines with their handling of a customer interaction, and Ja Rule’s Fyre Festival. were all crises the companies had to react to immediately.

Today we are discussing tips for businesses to better help them handle a PR crisis.

Address the Problem

A business can ignore many problems; a PR crisis is not one of them. Once a problem has been identified, the best way to work toward a solution is to acknowledge what went wrong. Then address how you plan to handle the situation. Make sure your solution is well thought out, sincere, and delivered appropriately. Americans appreciate honesty and solutions.

If there are enough complaints for an issue to be considered a PR “crisis,” there is a reason it’s a problem. Listen to the public’s opinion of the situation. By listening and specifically addressing the issue, your business can rebuild the trust of its customers and clientele.

Stay Professional

No matter the issue, handle it professionally. As a business, the stakes are high during times of PR crisis. Avoid unprofessional interactions. This is most important on social media outlets.

Avoid Crisis

Employ a team of highly skilled PR professionals. Makes sure they are up to date on technology and social media etiquette. PR is a fast-paced, ever changing environment disaster can strike due to a lapse in education and current expectations.

There are many aspects of PR and crisis handling, many of which depend on the company’s PR reputation before the crisis. The best way to handle a PR crisis is by avoiding issues in the first place with a top-notch staff and continuing education. All it takes is a PR spark to ruin an entire business.

Change. So many feelings are caught up in just one word. Change can be scary. It can bring a sense of renewal. Many times we meet it with opposition. However, in the end, change is a fact of life; nothing stays the same forever. Since “The Great Recession” jobs are not as secure as they once were. Millennials are finding out that things are not how they were for their grandparents and parents who found jobs right out of school and stayed there until retirement. When you are changing careers things can be daunting. Though this can be stressful, it can also be very rewarding. Here are some do’s and don’t’s to consider when switching careers to help make the process go smoothly.

Finding a new job using the skills you’ve acquired throughout your career can be hard. What if your most recent resume is filled with changing diapers, breaking up sibling battles, and preparing lunch while holding a toddler? Re-entering the workforce is a challenge facing many mothers. In recognition of Mother’s Day this weekend, we will discuss tips and challenges for those parents looking to re-enter the workforce.

Modern companies are designed to embrace rapid changes in the economy, workforce, and society. This is the biggest challenge for those who have been out of the workforce for as little as a year. Many parents find that they are over qualified for entry level positions, but have missed out on experience to get them to the next step in their career. How can you translate your time as a parent into the workforce? Below are some great tips to make sure you’re ready to go when the kids go to school.

Utilize Technology

Let technology be your best resource for brushing up on your skills. From finding jobs online to taking free classes to enhance your professional skills, use technology to help you ease back into the job market and keep up on industry news.

Network

You haven’t been out of the workforce so long that networking has become obsolete. There are many ways to begin networking. Volunteer at a local nonprofit or your children’s school to meet other parents who can help you break back into the workforce. Yet again, use technology to network via LinkedIn.

Translate your skills

Take some time to sit down and think about all of the skills you’ve gained as a parent, then translate them to the professional world. Time management, leadership, communication, and attention to detail are skills that both parents and professionals need to have to make your workplace and household run smoothly.

Have you been a stay at home parent who has re-entered the workforce? What advice would you give others looking to do the same?

We’ve talked a lot about how to create an effective message with a target audience in mind, and how to communicate a business plan and get employees to buy in, but we’ve really only talked about the obvious when it comes to communicating. We all know that there is more to communication than just words on a page or the phrases that we speak.Continue reading →

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

This Wednesday, April 26, is Administrative Professionals Day. Because they are an important part of any business team, take a minute to celebrate by showing gratitude to your Administrative Professionals!

Here are four ideas to show your appreciation of those who support your departments.

1.Order Lunch! Have lunch in the office with the team today. Many restaurants and fast food restaurants will cater lunch for your office. Order ahead and get a variety of foods then take an hour out of the day to relax and have an enjoyable conversation. Tip: Give your administrators a break by doing the ordering yourself!

2.Swag! Order some company swag for your administrators. Polo shirts, sweatshirts, pens, blankets, and keychains branded with your company logo make great gifts. Get something exclusive for your administrators to show your gratitude for all that they do within the company.

3.Head to Hallmark! Stop into your local greeting card store and browse the Administrative Professionals Day cards (yes, there is a section for that!). Pick a card and personalize it for each administrator; express your appreciation for the work that they do for you and your department. You can also take this a step further by adding a gift card for lunch, a massage, or a local store.

4.Extra Time! Show gratitude with the best gift you can give, and extra few hours or day off. Even though you depend on them, try to fend for yourself for an extra afternoon and allow your administrators some extra time off to themselves.

These are just a few ideas to help you recognize your administrative support team. Do you already have plans to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day? Share your ideas in the comments below!

In the past, we’ve discussed the different outlooks of each generation; how they like to give, their values, their buying habits. But, what happens when you put them all in one place? How do you manage an office where you have employees from Baby Boomers to Generation Z all working together? Each group has given criticism of the other over the years. How can you get them to work as a team and create a cohesive work environment in which individuals of all generations and outlooks have the chance to succeed? Let’s take a look at what makes each of these generational cohorts tick as well as how to manage and motivate these groups in the office.

First let’s breakdown the main characteristics, values, and attributes of each cohort. Keep in mind these are generalizations of each group and can vary from person to person.

Baby Boomers

Born between the years of 1946 and 1964.

In 2015, Baby Boomers numbered around 74.9 million in the U.S. and at that time made up 33% of the workforce.

They are work-centric, competitive, and goal-oriented in the workplace; and are motivated by positions and prestige. Many are in supervisory roles.

Generation X

Born between the years of 1961-1981.

This cohort has a population of about 46 million in the U.S. Because of their relatively small size compared to that of the Baby Boomers and Millennials they often get ignored by marketers.

In the workplace they are looking for a work-life balance, are tech-savvy, and independent in their work.

Millennials

Born between 1980-2000.

As of 2012, Millennials numbered around 80 million in the U.S. They now edge out Baby Boomers in size and are the largest generation in Western history as well as the most educated.

They are entrepreneurial in nature and value collaboration, diversity, and wellness in the workplace.

Generation Z

Born around 1995-2010.

Are around 74 million in number in the U.S. This number may continue to grow depending on immigration.

The oldest of this cohort are around 21 and just entering the workforce. They are entrepreneurial and practical.

Looking at these generational groups there are many different values and characteristics across them. Each has different aspects about work that drives them and what they value in a job. Managing a workforce which includes members of most if not all of these groups may seem impossible, but it is not. Here are several things to keep in mind when managing a diverse group:

Create a communication standard: Each generation has its own preference when it comes to communicating and these differing opinions can cause friction between the groups. For example, Baby Boomers are more formal in their communication, Millennials and Generation Z are fine with a text message. Setting a standard for how certain information should be communicated within the office can take personal and generational preference out of the equation and help avoid any confusion and tension.

Get them talking: Bring together a diverse group of individuals from each cohort; have them get to know each other and keep it casual. Let them talk about their differences, what they care about, and how they can better workplace relationships between the generations. In this group, you can create a new hybrid group, a “cocktail cohort” which can help foster understanding throughout the office.

Consider the individual: Though we are talking about characteristics of different age groups, this does not mean you should blindly assume that depending on which generation they fall in that they embody all or any of the attributes of said group (this Millennial hates that). Get to know your employees’ interests and be flexible and open; adjust management styles when needed. All employees want to feel they are needed and the work they do matters.

As the office demographic ebbs and flows with the retiring of Baby Boomers and additions from Generation Z, management styles will be in flux. It is important to also keep the outlook of your organization in mind when managing all employees. A multi-generational office should not be looked at negatively; use the diversity it allows to your advantage.

Whether you are an employee thinking about leaving your current position, or a supervisor wondering why you have so much turnover this post is for you. Today we will discuss reasons good employees leave their jobs and ways to keep them.

Why do good employees leave?

Although unhappiness may be one reason good employees leave their jobs, it isn’t always the top or even the only reason.

1.Lack of growth and opportunity: The number one reason good employees leave is to pursue better opportunities for themselves. They may even leave for lateral or downgraded positions if they see better growth opportunities in a new company.

2.Poor leadership and vision: Another reason good employees leave is due to company leadership. If leadership within a company is disorganized, one-sided, or barely present, good employees will look for a new position within a company that has vision.

3.The absence of passion: Many employees will leave because they lack passion for the job, company, or field in which they are working. This is common with employees finishing degrees or training programs. They may be working in a field to get through college where they will leave to work in their field.

1.Provide growth and opportunity: As a company leader, be sure to provide growth and opportunity for your employees. This doesn’t always have to be by way of money and promotions; organize lunch and learns, trainings, or meetings with executives to allow your team the opportunity to create their own growth.

2.Manage using strong leaders: Choose strong leaders who will lead by example for your organization. Leaders who are mentors will encourage and inspire your employees to look for opportunity within the company.

3.Create passion: Learn about your employees’ passions. If the job or field itself is not aligned with their passion, encourage employees to pursue their passions in other ways using the organization. Allow them to volunteer, promote philanthropic activity, and allow them to share their passions with the rest of the company through newsletters or emails highlighting their efforts.

Have you already tried some of these methods within your organization? Share in the comments your ideas for employee retention.